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Friday, November 27, 2009

Challenges Ahead......

I usually try to keep my personal life...well...personal and I wasn't sure if I should use my blog as the forum to express my feelings, but then I thought, it's my blog, it's my forum. I've got tons on my mind...and I'm thinking it's time to share. 

Forgive me if I'm forgetful, scatterbrained, not all there, tense, unresponsive to emails, tweets and wall posts.... I'm trying to hold it together, but sometimes it's just hard.

I've got some challenging times ahead...well make that my mom... She has been diagnosed with stage IIIB Squamous Non Small Cell Lung Cancer.  She is getting a port put in next Monday and will start her first round of chemo on Tuesday.  Her attitude is very positive for what she's facing.  I've always considered her to be a pillar of strength, so this does not surprise me.  Her name is Joy, and she is just that....Joy! Please keep her in your prayers. 

She lives in Alabama so getting to her is not an easy task.  I've scored some awesome flight deals and went ahead an booked 3 to go down there.  I'll be there Dec 14th to get her set up for the holidays, going to put up new drapes in her downstairs bedroom, and will set up a wireless internet network. I'm only staying a few days, but it's a few more days than not going at all. I've got to get back here because the 19th is my anniversary and Tom will be heading north to see his dad on the 20th and for the holidays. 

I'll try not to bombard you with posts about it, but will surely have updates.  It helps me to talk about it and to share my thoughts.

Thanks my friends for listening.

Shari

 

50 comments :

Lisa Carroll said...

prayers for your mom, and for you. hugs, shari. :)

Eveline said...

Sometimes it helps to put your feelings into words. I'll think of you and your mother. My husband has cancer and it's hard to be optimistic all the time but when you're not optimistic there is nothing. I wish you a lot of strength to get through the coming time.
Eveline.

Dawn T said...

Shari... I am sorry to hear about your Mum... having been through it during the past year with my Mother in law, you have my prayers - both for you and your Mum. Be positive and definitely use your blog to vent your feelings... it is an awesome way of doing so. Take care.

Suzanne C said...

Shari... So sorry to hear about your mom. My mom was diagnosed with the same exact thing last year and I feel for you. We were fortunate that she was very close to all of her children so we could be there to help with all the difficult times. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

sideoats + scribbles said...

Hi Shari, sending you and your mom big hugs. Sounds like you have got a good plan to help keep your mom's spirits up -- I know she'll love the new drapes + the wireless, and most of all, the visits from you.

Livestrong, as Lance says!

And if ever there's something that I can do, just let me know.

More hugs,
L

Merry said...

Take care Shari....it's times like these you need to voice what is what is happening to help you through. My thoughts are with you and your Mum.

Jennifer said...

love you. tons. i hope you know that. tons. will be praying. :)

Paul B said...

I'm so sorry to hear about your Mum Shari. My prayers are with you and her. I understand a little about how your mind is elsewhere as my Mum has been in hospital recently too. I've been a little distracted recently and not my normal self so completely empathise with your scaterbrained forgetfulness. I wish strength for you and your Mum, Joy for the upcoming days. Don't worry about sharing your feelings on your blog. Other craft blogs I read have personal info on there too. Or if it would suit you better, you can add another blog using eblogger and make it private or just somewhere to put your personal thoughts away from your crafting ones.

I'll be thinking of you. Love & Hugs from across the seas

Paul xxx

Pia said...

I am truly sorry to hear this, Shari. I am sending prayers for your mum and your family across the big pond and wish you all the strength in the world to get through this.

Tracey said...

Shari....so glad you posted this...it really helps to talk/blog about your feeling and thoughts. Sending hugs and well wishes to you and your mom. Hugs, TRace

Rachel G said...

Shari - I'm so sorry to hear about your Mum. But I'm so glad you shared with us, as I'm sure you need all the support you can get right now! My Mum was diagnosed with cancer a few years ago (and was lucky enough to fight it successfully) but it's hard when it's your mum, you know? My thoughts are with you & your family... xxx I'm sure the trips you do to her will be worth their weight in gold. Take care!

The Scrappy Tree said...

I wish you and your family and especially your Mum all the best in the world - I am aware of people having a hard time this Christmas season and I really believe all the love out there will make a difference. Love to you all xxx

amy said...

Will add your mom to my prayer list. Please keep us updated. May the Lord grant you strength and peace through this time!

Far North said...

Sending prayers and hugs to support both of you in the upcoming days.

Paper Paradise said...

So sorry Sharri, we are thinking of you all........ Sue and Paul, (Paper Paradise) x

Virginia L. said...

Sorry to hear about your mom's health. Your presence with her in Alabama will ease her burden and stress. Will keep you and family in my thoughts and prayers.

Kelly Booth said...

Big hugs and Prayers for you and your Mom Shari....You will be in my thoughts and prayers.....
Hang in there I'll be thinking about you!

Kath Stewart said...

so sorry to hear about your mom shari and having been there....I know that it does help to share your feelings...we are all here for you...thinking of you and your family....big hugs Kath xxxx

Sandie said...

Sorry to hear about your mum Shari.

Shall add her to my list of prayers. I think talking about it is the best therapy. You can't bottle these sorts of feelings in.

Stay strong.

Luv Sandie

Joanne said...

Oh Shari! this IS the perfect place to share personal matters because all of us out here can help you through the bad times. My thoughts are so with you and your mom just now and will continue to be throughout her ordeal. xxx

Lynne Forsythe said...

My friend Shari!! SOOO sorry to hear about your mom! My thoughts and prayers are with you and your mom and all the family! THANKS for personalizing your blog... sometimes we just HAVE TO! and it's good for others to know what's going on when we disappear. I lived way too far away and had small children when my dad was dealing with his C. You are blessed to be able to go and be with her!!
Love ya girl
Lynne

Debbie said...

Shari, So sorry to hear about your mom's diagnosis. My son was diagnosed with Hodgkins in 2007 so I know how stressful those times are. Prayers got us through it and if I hadn't had wonderful friends to listen to me, I don't know what I would have done. So please share all you need to. Take care and let your mom know that people all over the world are praying for her. Hugs!

Jana said...

Please don't hesitate to share how she is doing and what you are feeling. And let all of your friends (blogger and otherwise) support you. This is so scary and I'm glad you are talking about it. Love you.

Vanessa said...

Thinking of you and your Mum! I am so sorry about this! All the best to you!

Lynne said...

Hugs to you and your mom, Shari. It will mean a lot to both of you that you are able to get there for even a few days. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Dwita said...

Shari, my big hugs for you and your Mom... Your blog is totally yours that you can share anything.. I wish you the best strength to get tghough the coming time... Hugs, Dwita.fackstu

Marilyn Nimmo said...

Sharing difficulties with your blogging friends is a wonderful way to get an amazing amount of support and prayers. Please know that you and your mom are in our thoughts and prayers. Keep us updated on her status as you can. Sending hugs and prayers for you and your mom. :) ()

Kathy (krolski) said...

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your Mom. I'm sure your visits with her will be a tremendous help. Take care.

Kay said...

I'm so sorry about your mom, Shari. I know it will be hard not only for her but very stressful for you as well.
My prayers are with you both. ~hugs

Marsha said...

My thoughts are with you and with your mom. It's wonderful you are able to fly in for some visits and support. My best friend's husband received this exact diagnosis about 6 months ago. After some rough rounds of chemotherapy and radiation, he is now cancer-free, gaining his weight back and enjoying life. Take care of yourself.

Millsrepco said...

Shari, thanks for sharing with us. Your mom and your entire family will be in my prayers. You are a very special person, I know your mother will enjoy having you there whenever you can. Big hugs to you all.

Unknown said...

So sorry to hear about the battle your mom is facing, Shari. I'll definitely keep her (and you) in my thoughts and prayers.
Hugs,
Sarah

Karen from MI said...

Hi Shari! Oh my, you have some BIG concerns with your Mom and her health. I'm glad that you shared on your blog.........many will be praying for her, including me. Seems to me sometimes that words are never enough, but I hope you know that I care and many others do, too. I'll be thinking about you, too.
Love, Karen PS... Your Mom has the PERFECT name!

~ K ~ said...

So sorry to hear about your Mom, Shari. I've been there...when my Mom went in for chemo, I tried to focus on her....talking about her past, looking at old photos, etc. Right now is a busy time of year but when it slows down it might help you to create a scrapbook all about your Mom. It was incredibly helpful for me.

I'll be praying for Joy and hoping all goes well for you both.

Kerry H. said...

Thanks for sharing this with us Shari. I'm *so* sorry to hear about your Mum. This is *such* a hard road to travel - I will be praying for both of you!

donna mikasa said...

Hugs to you and your mom, Shari. Your mom is so brave and having a positive attitude will surely help her and everyone else in the days ahead. Our prayers for her, and for you, too.

Jill said...

sending positive vibes to your Mom and your family...every little bit counts :) Glad you are able to visit her...even if your trip is short. Take care

Anthonette said...

Hi Shari, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your mom. I also live far away from my parents, so I understand the frustration of having to handles stresses like this from far away. I'm glad you are able to travel and be with her.

Milissa said...

If you can't share your thoughts with your friends ... who can you share them with? I know that we are just distant people that you don't really know, but we are here... I'm sending prayers and hugs. Keep us posted.

Sue McRae said...

So sorry to hear about your mom Shari. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Lin said...

My experience is that people are so kind during this kind of situation....know that many people hold both you and your family in our prayers. Sending hugs.

Unknown said...

Oh Shari, I am so very sorry to hear about your mom. Please do keep us posted. I can assure you that you will be foremost in my thoughts...and in my prayers. {{{HUGS!}}}

Anonymous said...

So sorry about your mother. Stay strong and know that a lot of people will be thinking about both of you and praying.
Sue

DawnBibby said...

dear Shari,
im so sorry to hear about your mum. sending you all our love and prayers
Dawn and JJ xxxx

judy said...

So sorry to hear about your Mom,
Shari. I will keep you both in my
thoughts and prayers!

Sue McGettigan said...

Sending best wishes and prayers Shari, I'm glad you're able to go and spend some time with your Mom, that's the best.

Kathy DeCosmo said...

Prayers for both of you!

klasickewpie said...

Saying prayers for your mother. Be strong for her. My father went through this a few years ago and it is a slow process. Blessings!

Khunter47 said...

Shari,

My Mom was diagnosed with lung cancer back in September. She had a lobe of her lung removed. She was blessed that her tissue margins came back clean and did not have to have chemo or radiation. I thank God everyday for her. I know this is a very stressful time. My best friend was diagnosed with lung cancer (both lungs) and brain cancer this year as well. She is currently underoing Chemo also. You and your Mom will be in my prayers. I pray she makes a speedy recovery. Hang in there. God is in control.

Khunter47

Janet a.k.a. swanlady21 said...

Courage, perserverence and hope I send to you and your Mom. It's a tough road, but just take a step at a time. My thoughts and prayers will be with you.